Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 80:16-19
Ps 80:16-19
16 Your vine is cut down, it is burned with fire; at your rebuke your people perish. 17 Let your hand rest on the man at your right hand, the son of man you have raised up for yourself. 18 Then we will not turn away from you; revive us, and we will call on your name. 19 Restore us, O LORD God Almighty; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.
2 Cor 4:16-18
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
No matter how much we try to be upbeat and look at the bright side of things, there are time when things are not right and it feels like the whole world is tumbling in on us. Our trust in God (even though strong and real) does not take away the pain, the hurt or the temptations we face. This is when we muster the courage to lift our eyes from this earth and the see the glory of heaven.
We are told to rejoice in our sufferings; not that there is any virtue in suffering for its own sake but because these help mold us and strengthen our faith. Paul says we are to rejoice in the Lord always. This is not a frivolous happy laughter but is a deep inner peace based on the conviction that our life is not about here and now but is about that eternal glory. This life is just our temporary proving ground that is preparing us to be ready to live with our Lord in that eternal home.
As we age, we face increased physical problems and we better understand that our outward person is truly wasting away. Rather than despair, we use every opportunity to study his word and spend time in prayer. We use what he has given us to help others. We can use our spiritual understanding and the wisdom we have been given to encourage others who are coming along with us and who are following after us. As we reflect on all God has done for us we find peace in our hearts and strength to help others.
O Lord God, as I look at the world around me and see all of the pain and suffering, I am made to wonder why things are as they are. Yet, I also know that sin is what brought all of the pain, sickness and death into your perfect creation. So as I face my problems each day, help me look to you with absolute trust and know that you love me and will take care of me. Help me take my eyes off of myself and look to you and in so doing to find ways to help others in their struggles. Thank you for your love and all you do for me every day. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
